No radio coverage for India-Australia Test series

Melbourne, Feb 12 (IANS) A hefty fee demanded by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has ensured that the four-match Test series will be off-limits for radio listeners in Australia.

National broadcaster Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has decided not to relay radio commentary for the series after BCCI asked all broadcasters from Australia to pay charges for covering matches in India.

Australian media reported that ABC was considering sending Jim Maxwell as a reporter, but the idea was shelved after BCCI informed them that he cannot report from inside any ground since the ABC was not paying for rights.

During the recently concluded Test series between India and England, English broadcasters BBC and SkyTV also took a similar stand against BCCI.

The ABC will lodge a complaint to the Indian high commissioner protesting against BCCI's decision.

ABC radio covered the series in 1994, 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2008 but skipped it in 2010 due to the Commonwealth Games.